Cite this work as

Das, S., N. Divakar, K. P. Rajkumar, K. A. Riyas, N. N. Veluri, V. A. Gosh, A. Ashalatha, A. R.

Kaimal & P. S. Easa. 2021. Report on herpetofaunal Survey in Silent Valley National Park
Kerala, India. Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department, Kerala.

Text, Design & Layout

Dhruvraj S.

Cover Page
Ochlandrae Bush Frog © Sandeep Das
Introduction

Amphibians and reptiles are one of the unique taxa which contribute a greater percentage of
diversity of species in the vertebrate community with high rate of endemism and they perform
variety of ecological functions on Earth’s ecosystems (Valencia-Aguilar et al., 2013).

Worldwide, a total of 8,384 amphibians and 11,570 reptiles are described till May 2021 with a
discovery rate of 152 and 100 species respectively every year (Amphibia Web 2021, Uetz et al.,
2020). The herpetofaunal diversity of Western Ghats, a mountain chain in south western India and
one of the hotspots of global biodiversity (Myers et al., 2000) is also noteworthy. With the unique
geographical classifications and climatic conditions of these mountains, they possess a high degree
of endemism which being greatest among amphibians (90%) and 53% in reptiles (Nameer et al.,
2015).

In India, research on amphibians and reptiles started about 200 years ago during the British India
period (Palot, 2015). Some of the oldest works include Catalogue of the Reptiles inhabiting in
Peninsular India by Jerdon (1853) and the Reptiles of British India by Gunther (1864). The studies
on reptiles of Kerala started way back in the 1870s. Some of the notable studies include work by
Beddome involving the description of six new species of snakes of the genus Silybura (1878) and
on the earth snake of peninsular India and Ceylon (1886); Fauna of British India by Boulenger
(1890); List of snakes from Travancore by Ferguson (1895); Notes on snakes collected from
Cannanore (1905) and from Nilgiris by Walls (1918); the milestone work by Smith, the Fauna of
British India three volumes (1931, 1935 and 1943); Reptiles of Silent Valley and new
Amarambalam by Murthy (1981); Collection of reptiles and amphibians from Ponmudi by Inger
et al.,1984; Reptiles of Silent Valley by Murthy (1986); Reptile fauna of Parambikulam Wildlife
Sanctuary by Radhakrishnan (1996); Reptiles of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary by Thomas
and Easa (1997); Addition to the reptile fauna of Silent Valley by Joseph and Easa (1997); Study
on reptiles and amphibians in Kerala part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve by Easa (1998); Inventory
of reptile fauna of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary by Abraham et al.,1999; Rediscovery of
Typhlopoids from Kerala by Ajith (2000); Herpetofauna of Madayipara (2002) and Checklist of
reptiles of Kerala (2011) by Palot and Radhakrishnan; Herpetofauna of southern Western Ghats
by Chandramouli and Ganesh (2010); Description of a Cnemaspis by Cyriac and Umesh (2014);
New record of coral snake from Kerala by Jins et al., 2014; Status and distribution of reptiles in
Western Ghats by Srinivasulu et al., 2014; A phylogeny of the only ground-dwelling radiation of
Cyrtodactylus: diversification of Geckoella across peninsular India and Sri Lanka by Agarwal and
Karanth (2015); A checklist of reptiles of Kerala by Palot (2015). Also, descriptions of many new
species in the past few years, advanced molecular classifications and outreach activities like snake
rescue certification and mobile applications (SARPA and Snakepedia) weaved a new path for
reptile research in Kerala.

When it comes to the case of amphibians, 1850 to 1925 was considered to be the golden period of
amphibian systematics (Biju 2001). In Kerala, Fauna of British India volumes by Boulenger (1882,
1890, 1892); A list of Batrachians of Travancore (Kanyakumari to present Munnar (Devikulam
Taluk)) by Ferguson (1904); Tadpole descriptions by Annandale and Rao (1916, 1917); A new
species of Torrent Toad (genus Ansonia) from Silent Valley by Pillai and Patabhiraman (1981);
Report on a collection of Amphibians and reptiles from the Ponmudi hills, Kerala, south India by
Inger (1984) are some of the significant works on amphibians during the 1900s. But by the turn of
the millennium, advancement of latest technologies and increased number of experts in the
herpetofaunal research field helped to describe and contribute more species to the existing
knowledge. A synopsis to the frog fauna of the Western Ghats, India by Biju (2001); Description
of new frog family from India reveals an ancient biogeographical link with the Seychelles by Biju
and Bossuyt (2003); Rediscovery and redescription of Raorchestes travancoricus by Biju (2004);
Systematics and phylogeny of Philautus in the Western Ghats of India, with descriptions of 12
new species by Biju and Bossuyt (2009); A taxonomic review of the Night Frog genus
Nyctibatrachus in the Western Ghats, India with description of twelve new species by Biju et al.,
2011; Findings of nine new species of frogs of the genus Raorchestes from southern Western
Ghats, India by Zachariah et al., 2011; DNA barcoding reveals unprecedented diversity in Dancing
Frogs of India: a taxonomic revision with description of 14 new species by Biju et al., 2014; A
checklist of Amphibians of Kerala by Das (2015) are some of the important works carried out in
the last two decades.

Even though many taxonomic research activities are being carried out on these taxa, most of the
protected areas and non-protected areas do not have any comprehensive list of herpetofauna
encountered in their park for the future management of the landscape. However, as a result of the
conservation activities and educational programmes taken up by various NGOs (Malabar Natural
History Society, Aranyakam Nature Foundation to name a few) and research groups in Kerala for
the protection of these lesser-known species generated interest in policy makers and among the
general public. Subsequently, many protected areas including Periyar Tiger Reserve (Das et al.,
2015 & Rajkumar et al., 2018), Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary (2016), Pampadum Shola National
Park (2018), Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary (Das et al., 2019), Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary
(Das et al., 2019), Chulannur Peafowl Sanctuary (Das et al., 2019), Mathikettan Shola National
Park (Rajkumar et al., 2019) conducted and evaluated herpetofaunal surveys with the help of
researchers, volunteers from several NGOs and staff from Kerala Forest Department for the future
concerns. The proposal for declaring Purple frog as the State amphibian of Kerala and the recent
declaration of Galaxy frog as the flagship species of Mathikettan Shola National Park are two
milestones that came along the way.

Many significant works marked in the history of Kerala’s herpetofaunal studies were carried out
from Silent Valley National Park. The description of a new species of Torrent Toad (genus
Ansonia) from Silent Valley by Pillai and Patabhiraman (1981); Addition to the reptile fauna of
Silent Valley by Joseph and Easa (1997); Survey of reptiles and amphibians in Kerala part of
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve by Easa (1998); A field guide to the caecilians of the Western Ghats,
India by Bhatta (1998); Record of Nasikabatrachus from the Northern Western Ghats by Das
(2006); Conservation genetics of endemic Indirana frogs of the Western Ghats biodiversity
hotspot by Nair (2012); Description of Two new species of Raorchestes (Anura: Rhacophoridae)
from the Silent Valley National Park in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats, India (Zachariah et
al., 2016) are some of the important herpetofaunal studies from this protected area. Exploration on
the reptilian diversity of the park started in the 1800s. In 1864, Beddome described Plectrurus
guentheri from Walakkad. In 1876, Theobald described Cnemaspis sisparensis based on the
specimens collected from a location near Sispara. Beddome reported Plectrurus perroteti from
Sispara in 1886. Murthy studied the reptile diversity of Silent Valley area in 1981 and 1986 and
reported 24 species in 1986 which includes 9 species of lizards (Gekkonidae 2; Agamidae 5;
Scincidae 2) and 12 species of snakes (Colubridae 6; Elapidae 1; Viperidae 2; Natricidae 3).
Thomas and Easa surveyed the area from 1994 to 1996 and reported 11 additional species in 1997,
which includes seven species of lizards (Gekkonidae 2; Agamidae 2; Scincidae 2; Varanidae 1)
and four species of snakes (Uropeltidae 1; Colubridae 2; Elapidae 1). Later in 2014, the presence
of Cnemaspis indica was reported from Sispara (Srinivsaulu et al., 2014) and Cyriac et al., 2019
reported the rediscovery of Cnemaspis sisparensis from Silent Valley. However, the existing list
of amphibians and reptiles included in the management plan is far from complete and hence Silent
Valley National Park, Kerala Forest Department conducted a herpetofaunal survey (Amphibian
and reptile survey) from 22nd to 25th July 2021 in coordination with Aranyakam Nature Foundation
involving volunteers from various NGO’s, institutions and staff of the protected area in order to
better understand and list out the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in the park.

Study Area

The Silent Valley Landscape, lying at the southwest corner of Nilgiris, sloping towards the south
is practically ringed in by hills. There is no representation over the entire stretch of Western Ghats
in Kerala, which is comparable in area to Silent Valley in the form of riparian and non-riparian
ecosystems on undulating terrain at mid-elevation and in the high rainfall zone. The terrain is
generally undulating with steep escarpments and many hillocks. Anginda peak is the highest point
of Silent Valley standing tall at 2383 metres above MSL.

The core area of Silent Valley National Park is the central and critical part of 5500 Sq. Km. of core
area of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and also forms an integral part of Nilambur Elephant Reserve
constituted under Project elephant. Silent Valley division as a whole, comprises of Silent Valley
National Park (89.52 Sq. Km) and its Buffer Zone (148 Sq. Km). The National Park and its Buffer
Zone is an integral part of the ecological stability of the Malabar region of Kerala. Surrounding
civilizations of Nilambur, Mannarkkad and Attappady depend on the streams and rivers originating
from the Silent Valley Landscape. These streams and rivers originating from Silent Valley
landscape form tributaries to Cauvery, Chaliyar, Bharathapuzha and Kadalundipuzha. Any threat
to the landscape will in turn disrupt and destabilize the lives of the people in these regions.

Silent Valley Landscape has a rich floral and faunal diversity. About 1000 floral species including
108 species of orchids have been reported from the Park. The recorded faunal diversity consists of
58 species of Mammals, 210 species of Birds, 100 species of Odonata and 211 species of
Butterflies. The Park also supports one of the few viable populations of the endangered, Western
Ghats endemic Primate, The Lion-tailed Macaque and other charismatic species like Nilgiri Tahr.

Table 1: List of camps included in the survey with details on elevational range and habitats
ELEVATION
NO CAMP NAME HABITAT
RANGE (m)
Moist Deciduous, Semi-
1 Mukkali 500-800
Evergreen, Plantations, Farmland
Semi Evergreen, Teak Plantation
2 Keerippara 600-1100 overtaken by Natural Forest,
Evergreen, Riparian Forests
Shola Forests, Grasslands,
3 Anavai 1000-1500
Riparian Forests, Evergreen
 Forests, Semi Evergreen Forests,
Tribal Farmlands
Shola Forests, Grasslands,
Riparian Forests, Evergreen
4 Thudukki 1000-1500
Forests, Semi Evergreen Forests,
Tribal Farmlands
Evergreen Forests, Semi
Evergreen, Riparian Forests and
5 Panthanthod 800-1300
Teak & Eucalyptus Plantation
overtaken by Natural Forest
Moist Deciduous, Riparian Forests
6 Thathengalam 100-500
Grassland and Semi Evergreen
Evergreen Forests, Grasslands,
7 Sairandhri 1000-1800
Riparian Forests
Evergreen Forests, Grasslands,
8 Walakkad 1200-2300
Riparian Forests
Poochippara & Evergreen Forests, Grasslands,
9 1000-1300
Neelikkal Riparian Forests, Shola
Evergreen Forests, Grasslands,
10 TK Colony 415-700
Riparian Forests, Plantations
Semi-Evergreen Forests, Moist
11 Atti 100-1000 Deciduous Forests, Riparian
Forests, Plantations
Moist Deciduous Forests, Riparian
12 Kalkund 250-1000
Forests, Plantations
Moist Deciduous Forests, Riparian
13 Ambalappara 100-1000
Forests, Plantations
Moist Deciduous Forests, Semi
14 Uppukulam 80-800 Evergreen Forests, Riparian
Forests, Plantations
Moist Deciduous Forests, Riparian
15 Pothuvappadam 240-800
Forests, Plantations

Methodology

The methodology adopted for surveying reptiles and amphibians was a combination of visual
encounter sampling, scan searches, night surveys and call surveys (especially for amphibians).

Diversity of amphibians and reptiles were sampled using visual encounter survey (VES) method,
involving searching for amphibians and reptiles in each of the micro-habitats and recording all the
animals encountered on the route. The underside of rocks, stones, leaf litter and fallen
branches/rotting wood were also examined for elusive species that might take refuge among them.
The details of microhabitats and behavior at the time of observation was also noted (Campbell and
Christman, 1982).
Those amphibians which were heard vocalizing were located and identified based on their call
because frog calls are highly species-specific which enables easy species identification (Bee et al.,
2013). This method is quite helpful in identifying cryptic amphibian species such as Raorchestes
nerostagona which prefer inaccessibly high microhabitats.

The survey was conducted during the daytime (from 8:00hrs to 11:00hrs in the morning) for
diurnal reptiles and amphibians which are active during that time and in the evening (from 18:30hrs
to 23:30hrs) for amphibians and reptiles which are active during the night, wherever it was
possible. Night surveys were done later with smaller survey teams. Fifteen base camps were
selected based on the vegetation, elevation and level of disturbance including Mukkali,
Pothuvappadam, Thathengalam, Atti, Neelikkal, Poochippara, Kalkkund, Ambalappara,
Panthanthodu, Anavai, Thudukki, Sairandhri, TK Colony, Walakkad and Keerippara. Fifteen
teams with a team leader, one KFD staff and two to three volunteers were sent to different camps
inside the PA so as to cover the majority of the habitats within the PA. Teams sampled and
photographed every amphibian and reptile they came across and the list was compiled back at the
base camp. An average of 40-man hours was surveyed in each block for two days starting from
22nd July to 25th July 2021. In addition to the survey results, species that were encountered on
multiple visits to the National Park before and after the survey was also added to the total species
list.

Result and Discussion

Amphibians

With an addition of 10 species to the existing management plan checklist of amphibians of SVNP,
a total of 56 amphibians (Table 3) were recorded from the study area during the survey period.
Among the amphibian families recorded, Rhacophoridae is the most represented family with 19
species followed by Dicroglossidae (7 species) and Bufonidae (6 species) (Fig. 1). Forty-six out
of the total fifty-six species recorded are endemic to Western Ghats and 7 are endemic to Kerala
part of the Western Ghats (Table 3). One thousand six hundred and eighty-two individual
amphibians belonging to 56 different species were recorded during the survey and Thathengalam
was found to be the most species abundant location with 602 individual sightings followed by
Sairandhri. During the survey, Sairandhri (15 species) and Panthanthodu (14 species) camps
recorded the greatest number of amphibian species whereas Poochippara camp (4) was the one
with the least number of species probably owing to the heavy rains in the area during the 3-day
survey period. Seven of the total fifteen camps recorded the presence of Nasikabatrachus
sahyadrensis. The Wayanad Bush Frog, Pseudophilautus wynaadensis was the most abundant frog
with 553 sightings recorded from twelve out of fifteen camps during the survey period. Eight of
the amphibian species recorded from the park fall under the Schedule IV category of the Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972. One species, Raorchestes ponmudi is in the Critically Endangered (CR)
category of IUCN red list of threatened species and eight other species fall under the Endangered
(EN) category.
Fig 1: Family wise distribution of amphibians in Silent Valley National Park

Fig 2: Amphibian species richness across sampling sites in Silent Valley National Park
Table 2: Amphibians recorded in different sampling sites of Silent Valley National Park during the survey

Pothuvappadam
Thathengalam

Panthanthodu
Ambalappara
Sl

Poochippara

TK Colony
Species

Keerippara
Sairandhri

Walakkad
No

Neelikkal

Kalkund
Mukkali

Tudukki
Anavi
Atti
1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus ü ü ü - - - ü - - - ü ü - ü -

2 Duttaphrynus parietalis ü - - ü ü - - - - - - ü - ü -

3 Duttaphrynus microtymphanum - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

4 Duttaphrynus silentvallyensis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

5 Blaira rubigina - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

6 Pedostibes tuberculosus - - - - - - - - ü - - - - ü -

7 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis - ü - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8 Euphlyctis karaavali - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

9 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus - ü ü - - - - ü - - - - - - -

10 Minervarya pentali ü ü ü - - - - - - - - - - - -

11 Minervarya rufescens ü - - - - - - - ü - - - - - ü

12 Minervarya nilagirica - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

13 Minervarya agricola ü ü - ü - - ü ü - - ü - ü - ü

14 Micrixalus phyllophilus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

15 Micrixalus saxicola - - - - - - ü - - - - - ü - ü

16 Micrixalus sairandhri - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
17 Micrixalus thampii - - - ü - - ü - - - - ü - - ü

18 Uperodon montanus - - - - - - - - ü - - ü - - -

19 Uperodon anamaleinsis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

20 Uperdon taprobanicus - ü ü - - - - - - - - - - - -

21 Uperodon triangularis - - - - - - - - - - - ü - - -

22 Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis ü ü ü - - - - ü - - - - - - -

23 Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis ü ü - - - - ü - ü - - - - - ü

24 Nyctibatrachus vrijeuni - - - ü - - - - ü ü ü - ü ü -

25 Nyctibatrachus grandis - - - - ü - - - - - ü ü - - -

26 Nyctibatrachus minimus - - - - - - - - - - - ü - - -

27 Clinotarsus curtipes ü - - - ü - ü - ü ü ü - - - -

28 Hydrophylax malabarica - - ü - - - - - - - - - - - -

29 Indosylvirana flavescens - - - ü ü - - - ü ü - ü - - -

30 Indosylvirana indica - ü - - ü - ü - - ü ü - ü ü -

31 Indosylvirana sreeni - - - - - - - - ü - - - - - -

32 Indirana beddomei ü - ü - - - ü - ü - - ü - - ü

33 Indirana semipalmata ü - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

34 Indirana sp ü - - ü ü - ü ü ü - ü - ü ü ü

35 Ghatixalus variabilis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

36 Polypedates occidentalis - - - ü - - - - ü - - - - - -
37 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis ü ü ü ü - - ü ü ü ü ü ü - - ü

38 Raorchestes akroparallagi ü ü - - - - - - - - ü - - - ü

39 Raorchestes anili - - - ü - - - - - - - ü - - -

40 Raorchestes chromasynchysi - - - - ü - - - ü - - - - ü -

41 Raorchestes glandulosus - - - ü - - - - ü - ü ü - ü -

42 Raorchestes lechiya - - - - - - - - ü - - - - - -

43 Raorchestes leucolatus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

44 Raorchestes nerostagona - - - - - - - - - - - ü - - -

45 Raorchestes ochlandrae - - - ü - - - - - - - - - - -

46 Raorchestes ponmudi - - - ü - - - - - - - ü - - -

47 Raorchestes signatus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

48 Raorchestes silentvallyensis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

49 Raorchestes tinniens - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

50 Raorchestes ravii - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

51 Raorchestes charis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

52 Rhacophorus malabaricus ü - - - - - - ü - - - ü - - -

53 Rhacophorus lateralis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

54 Uraeotyphlus bombayensis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

55 Epicrium longicephalum - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

56 Uraeotyphlus sp. - - - - - - ü - - - - - - - -
Table 3: Checklist of Amphibians of Silent Valley National Park
Sl.
Species Common Name IUCN WPA END
No.
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
1 Duttaphrynus melanostictus Common Indian Toad LC

2 Duttaphrynus parietalis Ridged Toad NT WG

3 Duttaphrynus microtympanum Southern Hill Toad VU WG

4 Duttaphrynus silentvalleyensis Silent Valley Toad DD KL

5 Blaira rubigina Red Stream Toad VU WG

6 Pedostibes tuberculosus Malabar Tree Toad EN WG

Family: Dicroglossidae

7 Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Skittering Frog LC Sch. IV

8 Euphlyctis karaavali Kerala Skittering Frog DD Sch. IV KL

9 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Indian Bullfrog LC Sch. IV

10 Minervarya pentali Pental's Burrowing Frog NE

11 Minervarya rufescens Rufescent Burrowing Frog LC Sch. IV WG

12 Minervarya nilagirica Nilgiris Wart frog EN WG

13 Minervarya agricola Cricket frog NE

Family: Micrixalidae

14 Micrixalus phyllophilus Pink-thighed Torrent Frog VU WG

15 Micrixalus saxicola Wayanad Torrent Frog VU WG

16 Micrixalus sairandhri Sairandhri Torrent Frog NE KL

17 Micrixalus thampii Thampi's Torrent Frog DD KL

Family: Microhylidae

18 Uperodon montanus Jerdon’s Balloon Frog NT KL

19 Uperodon anamalaiensis Anamalai Balloon Frog DD WG

20 Uperodon taprobanicus Painted Frog LC

21 Uperodon triangularis Malabar Balloon Frog VU WG

Family: Nasikabatrachidae

22 Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Purple Frog EN WG

Family: Nyctibatrachidae

23 Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis Kempholey Night Frog DD WG

24 Nyctibatrachus vrijueni VUB Night Frog NE WG

25 Nyctibatrachus grandis Indraneil’s Night Frog NE KL

26 Nyctibatrachus minimus Miniature Night Frog DD KL

Family: Ranidae

27 Clinotarsus curtipes Bicoloured Frog NT Sch. IV WG

28 Hydrophylax malabarica Fungoid Frog LC Sch. IV

Yellowish Golden-backed
29 Indosylvirana flavescens NE WG
Frog
30 Indosylvirana indica Indian Golden-backed Frog NE WG
Sreeni’s Golden-backed
31 Indosylvirana sreeni NE WG
Frog
Family: Ranixalidae
32 Indirana beddomei Beddome's Leaping Frog LC Sch. IV WG

33 Indirana semipalmata South Indian Frog LC Sch. IV WG

34 Indirana sp.

Family: Rhacophoridae

35 Ghatixalus variabilis Green Tree Frog EN WG

36 Polypedates occidentalis Charpa Tree frog DD WG

37 Pseudophilautus wynaadensis Jerdon's Bush Frog EN WG

38 Raorchestes akroparallagi Variable Bush Frog LC WG

39 Raorchestes anili Anil's Bush Frog LC WG

40 Raorchestes chromasynchysi Confusing Green Bush Frog VU WG

41 Raorchestes glandulosus Glandular Bush Frog VU WG

42 Raorchestes lechiya Lechiyappan's Bush Frog NE WG

43 Raorchestes leucolatus White Patch Bush Frog NE WG

44 Raorchestes nerostagona Water Drop Frog EN WG

45 Raorchestes ochlandrae Ochlandrae Reed Frog DD WG

46 Raorchestes ponmudi Large Ponmudi Bush Frog CR WG

47 Raorchestes signatus Star-eyed Bush Frog EN WG

48 Raorchestes silentvalleyensis Silent Valley Bush Frog NE WG

49 Raorchestes tinniens Nilgiri Bush Frog EN WG

50 Raorchestes ravii Ravi's Bush Frog NE WG

51 Raorchestes charius Seshachar’s Bush Frog EN WG

52 Rhacophorus malabaricus Malabar Gliding Frog LC WG

53 Rhacophorus lateralis Small Tree Frog EN WG
Order: Gymnophiona
Family: Ichthyophidae
54 Uraeotyphlus bombayensis Bombay Caecilian LC WG

55 Epicrium longicephalum Long-headed Caecilian DD KL

56 Uraeotyphlus sp.
*IUCN Status EN- Endangered, VU –Vulnerable, LC –Least Concern, DD –Data Deficient, NE –
Not Evaluated, NT – Near Threatened
*Rows represented in green color are the species which are new reports to Silent Valley National
Park from the present study and previous visits
*Rows represented in yellow color are the species which were recorded in the working plan and
other studies
*END- Endemism, WG- Western Ghats, KL- Kerala
*IUCN-International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources
*WPA-Wildlife Protection Act

Reptiles

A total of 66 species represented by 43 genera from 14 families falling under two orders were
recorded from Silent Valley National Park (Table 5), out of which 15 species are additions to the
reptile diversity of Silent Valley. About 97% of the reptiles observed belong to the order Squamata
(62 species) and rest of the species belong to the order Testudines. While comparing the family-
wise species contribution, the family of snakes, Colubridae has more number of species
representation with 15 species, followed by the family of lizards Gekkonidae and Agamidae with
nine and eight species respectively (Fig. 4). Out of the 66 species of reptiles recorded, 38% are
endemic to the Western Ghats among which the Wayanad Day Gecko is so far only recorded from
Kerala part of the Western Ghats. Seven species fall under different threatened categories of the
IUCN Red List assessment. Cnemaspis wynadensis and Ahaetulla perroteti fall under the
Endangered category while Indotestudo travancorica, Cnemaspis indica and Ophiophagus
hannah are classified under Vulnerable (VU) category. Two species, viz., Melanochelys
trijuga and Cnemaspis sisparensis are categorized under Near Threatened (NT) category (Table
5). A total of 40 species (61%) are protected under different schedules of the Wildlife Protection
Act, 1972 and nine species are protected under different appendices of CITES (Table 5).

Out of the 15 locations surveyed, Pothuvappadam has more species richness with 12 species,
followed closely by Thudukki and Sairandhri with 11 and 10 species respectively (Fig. 5). A total
of 210 individual reptiles were recorded during the survey, and Thathengalam is the most species
abundant location with 59 individual sightings followed by Sairandhri and Pothuvappadam with
26 and 20 sightings respectively. Among the reptiles recorded, the common garden lizard, Calotes
versicolor is the most abundant species with a total of 26 sightings from seven locations followed
by Psammophilus dorsalis with 25 sightings (4 locations) and Hemidactylus frenatus and Eutropis
carinata with 15 sightings each from four and five locations respectively.

Another significant observation during the survey was the scarce sightings or almost complete
absence of Torrent Frogs of the genus Micrixalus in many areas where they were abundant earlier.
Species including Micrixalus saxicola, Micrixalus sairandhri, Micrixalus thampii were all once
very abundant in the National Park. They were rarely encountered during the survey and other
previous visits to the National Park. One possible cause for the phenomenon might be the 2018
floods which could have affected their populations badly. If we had periodic data on the
presence/absence/abundance of individual species/species groups in the park, more accurate
conclusions could have been drawn to address issues like what we witnessed in the case of Torrent
Frogs. Therefore, we highly recommend undertaking periodic and seasonal surveys on lesser-
known vertebrate fauna too along with other taxa like mammals, birds, and butterflies to better
understand the biodiversity of the protected area there by ensuring proper management practices
for all forms of life.

Viperidae
Elapidae
Natricidae
Colubridae
Erycidae
Pythonidae
Family

Uropeltidae
Typhlopidae
Varanidae
Scincidae
Agamidae
Gekkonidae
Geoemydidae
Testudinidae
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
No. of Species

Fig 4: Family wise distribution of reptiles in Silent Valley National Park

 14

12

10
Species richness

ra
ira i
ap ali

en m

al y
m

oc kal

Tu i
Ka a
ee i

du
nd

TK dhr
Sa kk
av
t

on
At

Ke ka
ar
ar
da

la

pa
k

ho
Am lku

du
An
lik

Pa lapp
pp
uk

ak
ga

ol
n
pa

ip
nt

C
M

hi

er
ha
ba
N

W
th
uv

nt
Po
Ta
th
Po

Locations

Fig 5: Reptile species richness across sampling sites in Silent Valley National Park

Table 4: Reptiles recorded in different sampling sites of Silent Valley National Park during the
survey
Pothuvappadam
Thathengalam

Panthanthodu
Ambalappara
Poochippara

TK Colony

Keerippara
Sairandhri

Walakkad
Neelikkal

Kalkund
Mukkali

Tudukki
Anavi

Sl.
Atti

No. Species
1 Indotestudo travancorica - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 Melanochelys trijuga - - ü - - - - - - - - - ü - -
3 Cnemaspis sisparensis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4 Cnemaspis wynadensis - ü - - - - - - - - ü - ü - -
5 Cnemaspis indica - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 Cnemaspis nilagirica - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
7 Cnemaspis sp ü - - ü ü - - - - ü - ü - ü -
8 Cyrtodactylus collegalensis - ü - - - - - - - - - - - - -
9 Hemidactylis parvimaculatus - ü ü - - - - - - - - - - - -
10 Hemidactylus frenatus - ü - ü - - - - - ü - ü - - -
11 Hemidactylus sp. - - - ü - - ü - - - - - - - -
12 Psammophilus dorsalis - ü ü - - - - ü - - - - - - ü
13 Monilesaurus elliotti ü - - ü - - ü ü - ü ü - - ü ü
14 Monilesaurus rouxi ü ü - - - ü ü - - - - - - - -
15 Calotes calotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
16 Calotes versicolor ü ü ü - - - - ü - - ü ü ü - -
17 Calotes nemoricola - - - - - - - - - - - ü - - -
18 Draco dussumieri - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
19 Salea horsfieldi - - - - - - - - - - ü - - - -
20 Eutropis carinata ü - ü - - - - - - - ü ü - ü -
21 Eutropis.macularia - ü - - ü - - - - - - - - - -
22 Eutropis beddomii - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
23 Ristella beddomii ü ü - - - - - - - - - ü - - -
24 Kaestlea beddomii - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
25 Sphenomorphus dussumieri - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
26 Eutropis sp. - ü - - - - - - ü - ü - - - -
27 Varanus bengalensis - - - - - - - ü - - - ü - - -
28 Indotyphlops braminus - - ü - - - - - - - - - - - -
29 Grypotyphlops acutus - - - - - - - - ü - - - - - -
30 Melanophidium punctatum - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
31 Teretrurus sanguineus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
32 Uropeltis ceylanica - - - - - - - - - - ü - - - -
33 Uropeltis sp - - - - - - - - - - ü - - - -
34 Plectrurus guentheri - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
35 Plectrurus perroteti - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
36 Python molurus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
37 Eryx conicus - - - - - - - - - - - - ü - -
38 Ahaetulla malabarica - - - ü - - - - ü - - ü ü ü -
39 Ahaetulla perroteti - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
40 Ahaetulla sahyadrensis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
41 Coelognathus helena - - ü - - - - - - - - - - - -
42 Rhabdops olivaceous - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 43 Oligodon taeniolatus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
44 Oligodon arnensis - - ü - - - - - - - - - - - -
45 Oligodon venustus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
46 Ptyas mucosa - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
47 Chrysopelea ornata - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
48 Dendrelaphis grandoculis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
49 Boiga thackerayi - - - ü - - - - - - - - - - -
50 Boiga forsteni - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
51 Lycodon aulicus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
52 Lycodon travancoricus - - - - - - - - - - - ü - ü -
53 Fowlea piscator - - - ü - - ü ü - - - - - - -
54 Hebius beddomei - - - ü - - - - - - - - - - ü
55 Hebius monticola - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
56 Rhabdophis plumbicolor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
57 Bangarus caeruleus - ü ü - - - - - - - - - - - -
58 Calliophis nigrescens - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
59 Naja naja - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
60 Ophiophagus hannah - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
61 Daboia russeli - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
62 Echis carinata - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
63 Hypnale hypnale - - - - - - - - ü - ü - - - -
64 Craspedocephalus malabaricus - - - - - - - - ü - ü ü - ü -
65 Craspedocephalus strigatus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
66 Craspedocephalus gramineus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Table 5: Checklist of Reptiles of Silent Valley National Park

Sl. Species Common Name END IUCN WPA CITES
No.

Order: Testudines

Family: Testudinidae

1 Indotestudo travancorica Travancore Tortoise WG VU Sch. IV App. II

Family: Geoemydidae
2 Melanochelys trijuga Indian Black Turtle NT App. II

Order: Squamata

Family: Gekkonidae

3 Cnemaspis sisparensis Sispara Day Gecko WG NT

4 Cnemaspis wynadensis Wayanad Day Gecko KL EN

5 Cnemaspis indica Indian Day Gecko WG VU

6 Cnemaspis nilagirica Nilgiri Day Gecko WG DD

7 Cnemaspis sp.

8 Cyrtodactylus collegalensis Kollegal Ground Gecko LC

9 Hemidactylus parvimaculatus Spotted House Gecko

10 Hemidactylus frenatus Asian House Gecko LC

11 Hemidactylus sp.

Family: Agamidae

12 Psammophilus dorsalis South Indian Rock Agama LC

13 Monilesaurus elliotti Elliot’s Forest Lizard WG LC

14 Monilesaurus rouxii Roux’s Forest Lizard LC

15 Calotes calotes Common Green Forest Lizard NE

16 Calotes versicolor Indian Garden Lizard NE

17 Calotes nemoricola Nilgiri Forest Lizard WG LC

18 Draco dussumieri South Indian Flying Lizard LC

19 Salea horsfieldii Horsfield's Spiny Lizard WG LC

Family: Scincidae

20 Eutropis carinata Common Keeled Skink LC

21 Eutropis macularia Bronze Grass Skink NE

22 Eutropis beddomii Beddome's Grass Skink NE

23 Ristella beddomii Beddome’s Cat Skink NE

24 Kaestlea beddomii Beddome’s Ground Skink WG LC

25 Sphenomorphus dussumieri Dussumier’s Litter Skink WG LC

26 Eutropis sp.

Family: Varanidae

27 Varanus bengalensis Bengal Monitor LC Sch. I App. I

Family: Typhlopidae

28 Indotyphlops braminus Brahminy Worm Snake NE Sch. IV

29 Grypotyphlops acutus Beaked Worm Snake LC Sch. IV

Family: Uropeltidae

30 Melanophidium punctatum Pied-belly Shieldtail WG LC Sch. IV

31 Teretrurus sanguineus Western Shieldtail WG LC Sch. IV

32 Uropeltis ceylanica Kerala Shieldtail LC Sch. IV

33 Uropeltis sp.

34 Plectrurus guentheri Gunther's Burrowing Snake WG DD Sch. IV

35 Plectrurus perroteti Nilgiri Burrowing Snake WG LC Sch. IV

Family: Pythonidae

36 Python molurus Indian Roack Python LC Sch. I App. I

Family: Erycidae

37 Eryx conicus Common Sand Boa NE Sch. IV App. II

Family: Colubridae

38 Ahaetulla malabarica Malabar Vine Snake WG Sch. IV

39 Ahaetulla perroteti Bronze-headed Vine Snake WG EN Sch. IV

40 Ahaetulla sahyadrensis Brown Vine Snake WG Sch. IV

41 Coelognathus helena Montane Trinket Snake NE Sch. IV

monticollaris

42 Rhabdops olivaceus Olive Forest Snake WG LC Sch. IV

43 Oligodon taeniolatus Russell’s Kukri Snake LC Sch. IV

44 Oligodon arnensis Common Kukri Snake NE Sch. IV

45 Oligodon venustus Black-spotted Kukri Snake WG LC Sch. IV

46 Ptyas mucosa Indian Rat Snake NE Sch. II

47 Chrysopelea ornata Ornate Flying Snake NE Sch. IV

48 Dendrelaphis grandoculis Large-eyed Bronzeback Tree Snake WG LC Sch. IV

49 Boiga thackerayi Thackeray's Cat Snake Sch. IV

50 Boiga forsteni Forsten’s Cat Snake LC Sch. IV

51 Lycodon aulicus Common Wolf Snake NE Sch. IV

52 Lycodon travancoricus Travancore Wolf Snake LC Sch. IV

Family: Natricidae

53 Fowlea piscator Checkered Keelback NE Sch. II App.

III

54 Hebius beddomei Beddome’s Keelback WG LC Sch. IV

55 Hebius monticola Hill Keelback WG LC Sch. IV

56 Rhabdophis plumbicolor Green Keelback NE Sch. IV

Family: Elapidae

57 Bungarus caeruleus Common Indian Krait NE Sch. IV

58 Calliophis nigrescens Striped Coral Snake WG LC Sch. IV

59 Naja naja Spectacled Cobra NE Sch. II App. II

60 Ophiophagus hannah King Cobra VU Sch. II App. II

Family: Viperidae

61 Daboia russelii Russel’s Viper NE Sch. II App.

III

62 Echis carinata Saw-scaled Viper NE Sch. IV

63 Hypnale hypnale Common Hump-nosed Pit Viper NE Sch. IV

64 Craspedocephalus malabaricus Malabar Pit Viper WG Sch. IV

65 Craspedocephalus strigatus Horseshoe Pit Viper WG LC Sch. IV

66 Craspedocephalus gramineus Bamboo Pit Viper Sch. IV

*IUCN Status EN- Endangered, VU –Vulnerable, LC –Least Concern, DD –Data Deficient, NE –
Not Evaluated, NT – Near Threatened
*Rows represented in green colour are the species which are new reports to Silent Valley National
Park from the present study and previous visits
*Rows represented in yellow colour are the species which were recorded in the working plan and
other studies
*END- Endemism, WG- Western Ghats, KL- Kerala
*IUCN-International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources
*WPA-Wildlife Protection Act
*CITES- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force Mr.
P.K. Kesavan IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden Mr.
Bennychan Thomas IFS, CCF Northern Circle (Wildlife) Mr. K. Vijayananthan IFS, then Silent
Valley National Park Wildlife Warden Mr. Narendra Nath Veluri IFS, present Wildlife Warden
Mr. S. Vinod IFS, for the permission, support and help rendered throughout the survey period.

We are also extremely thankful to the Forest Officers for providing all the logistics and for making
the survey a grand success. We would like to thank ZSL, EDGE fellowship program, MBZ and
Mr. Benjamin Tapley for the continuous support. We thank all the staff from Kerala Forest
Department, volunteers from various institutions and organisations including Kerala Forest
Research Institute, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, College of Forestry, Centre
for Wildlife Studies, Farook College Kozhikode, Malabar Natural History Society, Young
Naturalists Kerala, and all others who helped make the survey happen. A word of apology to all
those who have not been mentioned in person and a note of thanks to one and all who worked for
the successful completion of this endeavour.

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List of Participants
No Participant
1 Abdul Riyas K. (Te
2 Abhijith Vijay
3 Abhin M. Sunil
4 Ajith Paul
5 Akhil K.S.
6 Ameer K.P.
7 Arjun Anandan
8 Cipin Valsan
9 Dhruvraj S.
10 Firosh Raja
11 Javad Kudukan
12 Joju C.T.
Institution/Organisation
Malabar Natural History Society
Centre for Wildlife Studies, KVASU, Pookode
College of Forestry, KAU, Mannuthy
Centre for Wildlife Studies, KVASU, Pookode
Aranyakam Nature Foundation
Aranyakam Nature Foundation
College of Forestry, KAU, Mannuthy
Aranyakam Nature Foundation
Aranyakam Nature Foundation
College of Forestry, KAU, Mannuthy
Aranyakam Nature Foundation
Aranyakam Nature Foundation
13 Karthika Chandran Farook College, Kozhikode
14 Lal V. Aranyakam Nature Foundation
15 Manoj P. SciGenome Research Foundation
16 Nidheesh Chenjery Aranyakam Nature Foundation
17 Nidheesh K.B. Young Naturalists Kerala
18 Nihal Jabeen Young Naturalists Kerala
19 Nithin Divakar Aranyakam Nature Foundation
20 Rajkumar K.P. Aranyakam Nature Foundation
21 Reshma T.T. Farooke College
22 Roshin Tom C. Aranyakam Nature Foundation
23 Sandeep Das Aranyakam Nature Foundation, Malabar Natural History Society
24 Sandeep Krishnadas Young Naturalists Kerala
25 Dwaraka Nathan Aranyakam Nature Foundation
26 Sanjay Chemath Young Naturalists Kerala
27 Sathyan Meppayur Malabar Natural History Society
28 Shirin Sithara Farook College, Kozhikode
29 Shivasankari G. Centre for Wildlife Studies, KVASU, Pookode
30 Siddharth Sasidharan Aranyakam Nature Foundation
31 Sonia K.B. Centre for Wildlife Studies, KVASU, Pookode
32 Sreejith Sivaraman Kerala Forest Research Institute
33 Vardha Nourin Farook College, Kozhikode
34 Vignesh B. Sivan Young Naturalists Kerala
35 Vipin C.G. Aranyakam Nature Foundation
36 Vishnu Areepurath Young Naturalists Kerala

Malabar Vine Snake

© Abhijith Vijay